Playing with pain only option for banged-up line

By Austin Ward

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Tennessee sent out a center who couldn't snap in practice.

On his left was a guard who spent time on the sideline in a walking boot and on the right was another who injured his ankle in the first half against UCLA.

The injuries were lined up in the heart of the UT offensive line in front of a surefire pro on the other side of the ball, and the Vols were nearly helpless to slow him down - and that was just one star.

UT really isn't much healthier up front now, but it could use some rapid healing with about 10 more NFL prospects looming Saturday at No. 1 Florida (TV: WVLT, 3:30 p.m.).

"It's a big concern," Vols coach Lane Kiffin said. "We're going to push our guys through practice and find out who can make it and not wait until Saturday to find out, but we're pretty banged up there.

"As you guys have known, we're not very deep up there and there are not a lot of answers to go to. We've got to get better with what we have."

At the moment, the Vols can't be entirely sure what exactly they do have heading to The Swamp.

Center Cody Sullins was limited last week in practice, then took a pregame shot and played through the pain of a hand injury. Left guard Vladimir Richard was held out of nearly every drill to protect his aching Achilles' tendon, though he also tried to play before giving way to Cory Sullins.

Throw in Jacques McClendon's early ankle sprain and all the defenders packed at the line of scrimmage to stop the run and it wasn't much of a surprise the Vols couldn't get the critical yards it needed or protect the quarterback. UT obviously needs its starters at full speed against a far more talented Florida defense, but it might have to use them even if they aren't.

"There's not a lot of options," Kiffin said. "The other Sullins (Cory) is there and he played late in the game for us after Vlad just couldn't go anymore. Cody Pope is in there as well, but there aren't a lot of answers to go to. We've just got to continue to work with what he have.

"We were tired up front (late in the game), and a championship team understands drives like that are going to happen and you have to win them."

The Vols were at least able to sustain their second-half drives, even if they didn't finish them the way they wanted.

On consecutive possessions UT ran 30 plays, controlled the ball for more than 14 minutes and gained 122 yards despite its well-documented struggles in the passing game - a product of the gritty performance by the offensive line. But the first drive only yielded a field goal, and the second ended near the goal line after the Vols couldn't get 3 yards with two chances on the ground.

"You do take it personal," Cody Sullins said. "It's a pride thing, and we're disappointed. We should have put the ball in the end zone right there, and it's a tough one to swallow.

"I think we all communicated well out there, we all played well and I don't think there was any confusion for us. It was just one of those things when you're battling injuries you have to work your butt off in the training room to get back, and I think everything was calm out there on the field and there wasn't any confusion on our part. We did our job and I think executed pretty well."

Their job is only going to get more difficult, and the Vols will have to execute even better against the Gators.

It would clearly help if they could get everybody between the tackles healthy.

"All three guys were banged up inside and that showed during the game," Kiffin said. " . . . The offensive line played fabulous in the first game - second game, we did not play very well up front.

"I said the best position group the first week was the offensive line. (Last) week it was the worst position group."

Now UT just has to figure out who exactly will be in that group this week.